WHEN Roy Hodgson walked into Craven Cottage without fanfare just before the end of 2007, the fortunes of little, likeable Fulham were about to change for ever.

But no supporters could have imagined how swiftly and dramatically such a change would arrive, with Hodgson’s History Boys now preparing for their club’s first-ever European final, against Atletico Madrid.

Hodgson’s studied and thorough manner, alongside immense tactical know-how, helped rescue Fulham from relegation on the final day of his first season, an act he followed with their best Premier League finish of seventh.

The top half beckons again – they entertain West Ham and then Stoke before finishing their League campaign at Arsenal – and then comes their finest hour with the Europa League final in Hamburg on May 12.

Such heady heights were reached following another stunning comeback, ironically against the Germans of Hamburg, at home on Wednesday.

Hodgson gives the credit to his “no stars, no primadonnas” team and his diligent staff. But the players know he is the architect of their unlikely success and is their Manager of the Year.

Simon Davies, one of the scorers in a 2-1 victory over Hamburg, said: “I have been here since the manager first came in, and as a team Fulham were really in an awful mess.

“We were struggling, conceding goal after goal. He has been first class since he walked in. He brought his knowledge and drilled into us the way he wants us to play. The first thing he worked on was our defensive shape, and he made us compact and hard to beat.

“We are very hard to play, going forward as well as defensively. But when we can get the ball down we can play some good football.

“Fulham are a very organised team and that is down to the manager. There are no individuals; it’s about the squad. He deserves to be Manager of the Year. We have played so many games with such a small squad. He rotated when he had to and made big decisions when necessary.

“To get a club like ours to the final of the Europa League? It’s difficult to describe what an achievement that is. He has done wonders. He has such composure and instils that into us.

“We have a modest manager and he wants us to be a modest team. We are always the underdogs, but that suits us. It has been quite a turnaround in two seasons, a fantastic journey.”

Centre-back Brede Hangeland played for Norwegian club Viking FK under Hodgson, who snapped him up for the Cottagers. Hangeland said: “I know him quite well, and he has the same philosophy now as he had at Viking, which proves he really believes in the system and the work he does. He organises the team really well and gets the best out of all his players.

“He has been in the game for so long and when he has something to say, you had better listen because it is always something sensible.

“His experience is second to none. I remember him celebrating with the team when we stayed up at Portsmouth a couple of seasons ago. Other than that, he is mostly always calm. When we score, I think he is one step ahead and already thinking about the next attack or the final 15 or 20 minutes. That’s why he gets the results.

“He really deserves to take this club to a European final. It’s a great achievement. We have all played our part but mostly it is down to him. That’s how good Roy Hodgson is – a really top-class manager.”

Leading scorer Bobby Zamora is determined to shake off his Achilles tendon problem in time for the final. He will almost certainly miss all three remaining league games, and might undergo a summer operation if he does not get a World Cup call-up. He said: “I am desperate to be out there for the final, so the next couple of weeks will be really vital for me.

“It would be the biggest match in my career and I would be devastated if I have to miss out on it.

“We are going to go out to give it our all over there. What’s the point in going out there and not wanting to win?”

Hodgson and his heroes would not have it any other way.

The Premier League have cleared Fulham of any wrongdoing after West Ham complained about the team they fielded against Hull on March 27.